Money matters! Help me choose Forum

[Lav1289]

Hey all,

I probably want a mid-size firm job but am married and hoping to start a family in the next few years. Should I go to BC at sticker or UConn for a lot cheaper if I'm not sure about biglaw...

[snapdragon]

Personally, I would take BC. I like UConn a lot and there's a 50/50 shot I'll end up there, but I think BC's worth it. Better placement probably everywhere in New England. However, I'd say UConn if you definitely didn't want big law and were set on staying in CT.

[bk1]

Do you want to work in CT?

[Lav1289]

I would prefer to work elsewhere...do you think UConn really only places well in CT?

[snapdragon]

I would prefer to work elsewhere...do you think UConn really only places well in CT?

On their website they report about 60% of responding graduates as having found work in CT. If you want to work elsewhere, definitely take BC.

[bk1]

I would prefer to work elsewhere...do you think UConn really only places well in CT?

On their website they report about 60% of responding graduates as having found work in CT. If you want to work elsewhere, definitely take BC.

Exactly.

BC at sticker is very risky but UConn when you don't really want to work in CT is an awful idea.

[Lav1289]

Thanks, guys. Do you think BC could pay itself back effectively if I only take a mid-size firm job?

[Lav1289]

BTW what I'm worried about as well is that at some point trying to have kids might interrupt my chances to get a summer internship, etc. Do I stand a chance at paying back my BC loans if I also want to balance family?

[snapdragon]

Thanks, guys. Do you think BC could pay itself back effectively if I only take a mid-size firm job?

Depends on what the firm pays, I guess. One interesting thing that made me sad is the (I think this is the right term) bimodal salary distribution. That is to say that although an average salary for private practice graduates may be $85k/year, there are very firms that PAY $85k/year. That average number is more likely reached through graduates getting paid between $130k-$160k at "biglaw" firms and graduates that are getting paid between $45-60k at smaller firms. My understanding is that there are not many "midlaw" firms that pay between $75-90k.

I'm not sure what to say about kids during law school. I think it's a pretty bad idea, but that's just me and my situation I think having a young family will make the hours and stress of a big law job seem even harder than being single; however the family might also provide a sense of personal happiness that makes your job a good place.

[bigkahuna2020]

My understanding is that there are not many "midlaw" firms that pay between $75-90k.

Actually, there are quite a few (and the range is more like 80-120k in the NE) but almost NONE hire straight out of law school. They tend to hire biglaw refugees with books of business, stars from small firms, or they buy up small firms and keep the partners.